Reflections on TASA 2025 and the Postgraduate Bursary Experience
I had the privilege of attending and presenting my research at The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Conference, held at the University of Melbourne—a campus that beautifully blends history with modernity and inspires learning at every corner. The theme, “Sociology in Action – Wellbeing, Policy and Activism in Times of Crisis and Change,” brought together hundreds of scholars committed to exploring pressing social questions and imagining transformative futures.
My presentation, part of the Risk Societies stream, shared early insights from my doctoral study: “Towards Decolonizing Disaster Risk Communication and Resilience Building – Indigenous Knowledge Insights from High Mountain Asia.” I spoke about how the Wakhi community has historically lived in harmony with its environment through nature-based solutions rooted in Indigenous wisdom practices. These approaches, which have sustained life in fragile mountain ecologies for centuries, are now at risk of being overshadowed by narrowly framed scientific and technocratic models. I also introduced liminality as an emerging theme in my research, reflecting the “in-between” spaces where communities navigate chronic risks, systemic neglect, and shifting worldviews under the pressures of climate change and modernization.
The bursary made this experience possible. It enabled me to travel to Melbourne, engage with leading scholars, and share my work in a space that values critical, inclusive, and action-oriented sociology. Beyond presenting, I attended thought-provoking sessions on various themes, which enriched my understanding and sparked new ideas for my thesis. Equally rewarding were the informal conversations—moments of connection that reminded me of the power of academic communities to foster solidarity and intellectual growth.
Receiving the bursary was more than financial support; it was an affirmation of the importance of research that seeks to amplify marginalized voices and challenge dominant paradigms. I am deeply grateful to TASA for this opportunity and for creating a platform where postgraduate scholars can contribute to meaningful dialogues.
As I continue my PhD journey at the University of Canterbury, I carry forward the insights and inspiration gained from TASA 2025. I look forward to staying connected with this vibrant community and contributing to future conversations on resilience, equity, and justice in times of crisis and change.
Sultan Ahmed
PhD Candidate, Department of Sociology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch New Zealand.